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Life with babe and broken arm?

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  Oregonicmama 
#1 ·
On Thursday I tripped in my hallway and landed on my left hand on the concrete slab floor. I am left handed, so of course I broke my arm! Awesome! I broke my left radial head in my elbow. I don't have a cast but I really wish they would have given me one. Instead I have a wrist splint and a sling, which doesn't do a whole lot for stabilizing the elbow (the splint). I have to wear these things for at least a month and it will 6 weeks at the earliest before it's healed. I have 3 kid to take care of, the most challenging being my almost 4 month old Lucas. I am supposed to be taking percasets which the ER Dr. said is not ideal for bf, but not going to hurt the baby either. I am trying not to take it and do ibuprofen instead and that has been ok so far.

But my biggest concern is the actual breastfeeding. DH has been helping me out by positioning the baby for me and what not, but DH has to work too. He has been great about helping me with Lucas, but I need to be able to do more on my own. The left side is difficult because I have to take the sling off and try to position my arm away from Lucas so he doesn't bump it and hurt me and I can 't get the sling back on by myself. But on the other hand the right side is hard too because if i hold him across my lap he kicks my broken arm. i have been trying a football type hold, but he's too big for that now and i can't hold him that way for very long with one hand and he gets squished. I tried side lying for the right side, but the pressure makes my left arm hurt really bad (even though it's on top with nothing touching it).

I also can't carry him for very long either and Lucas loves to be held. He will stay in his swing or on the playmat or bed for maybe 10 mins max before I have to pick him up, which i need 2 hands to do b/c my core is still pretty weak from the pregnancy. I can't use the bjorn and don't think i can use the ring sling or the ergo either b/c my arm has to be in the sling across my chest.

Well, I am starting to vent and I didn't come here to complain... does anyone have any suggestions? has anyone been through this?

I am super independent and hate asking for help so this is really hard for me. i feel bad and guilty that DH has to help me so much. He just left us alone for an hour and I did figure out that I can lay Lucas on the edge of our bed and kneel next to it and he can nurse pretty easily in that position. So, at least I'm figuring some things out.

Thanks for reading and for any input. :)
 
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#2 ·
Oh mama, I'm so sorry that happened to you!! Taking care of a baby is challenging enough without having a broken arm. I'd go back to the doctor and ask for a cast. explain the nursing challenges, kids bumping into you, having to take it off and not being able to get it back on yourself. I broke a bone in my elbow once and had a sling and splint probably like the one you describe having. This was before kids and I had a hard time not moving my arm and didn't wear the sling 100% of the time. I don't think it healed as well as it would have if I had been able to immobilize it better. If you're not able to keep your arm stable to let it heal then go back to the doctor and have them do something different.

Can you get a mother's helper to come and help during the day? Maybe a neighborhood kid can help out for a few weeks until summer vacation is over.
 
#3 ·
well, i signed the older kids up for summer camp, so that will make it a bit easier. The Dr. told me they can't do a cast b/c i still need to move my elbow up and down even if i can't turn my hand. I am goung to a specialist on Wed.. Hoping they will have some tips for me.
 
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